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Seismic Time Fractal Dimension for Characterizing

Shajara Reservoirs of The Permo – Carboniferous
Shajara Formation, Saudi Arabia
Khalid Elyas Mohamed Elameen Alkhidir*
Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, college of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi arabia
Received: July 18, 2018; Published: July 26, 2018
*Corresponding author: Khalid Elyas Mohamed Elameen Alkhidir, Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, college of
Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi arabia. Tel no: +966114679118; Email:

Abstract
The quality and assessment of a reservoir can be documented in detail by the demonstration of seismic time. This research
aims to calculate fractal dimension from the relationship among seismic time, maximum seismic time and wetting phase saturation
and to approve it by the fractal dimension derived from the relationship among capillary pressure and wetting phase saturation.
In this research, porosity was measured on real collected sandstone samples and permeability was calculated theoretically from
capillary pressure profile measured by mercury intrusion contaminating the pores of sandstone samples in consideration. Two
equations for calculating the fractal dimensions have been employed. The first one defines the functional relationship between
wetting phase saturation, seismic time, maximum seismic time and fractal dimension. The second equation involves to the wetting
phase saturation as a function of capillary pressure and the fractal dimension. Two procedures for obtaining the fractal dimension
have been utilized. The first procedure was done by plotting the logarithm of the ratio between seismic time and maximum seismic
time versus logarithm wetting phase saturation. The slope of the first procedure = 3- Df (fractal dimension). The second procedure
for obtaining the fractal dimension was determined by plotting the logarithm of capillary pressure versus the logarithm of wetting
phase saturation. The slope of the second procedure = Df -3. Based on the obtained results of the fabricated stratigraphic column
and the attained values of the fractal dimension, the sandstones of the Shajara reservoirs of the Shajara Formation were divided here
into three units. The gained units from bottom to top are: Lower Shajara seismic time Fractal Dimension Unit, Middle Shajara seismic
time Fractal dimension Unit, and Upper Shajara seismic time Fractal Dimension Unit. The results show similarity between seismic
time fractal dimension and capillary pressure fractal dimension. It was also noted that samples with wide range of pore radius
were characterized by high values of fractal dimensions due to an increase in their connectivities. In our case, and as conclusions
the higher the fractal dimension, the higher the heterogeneity, the higher the permeability, the better the reservoir characteristics.

Introduction
the internal surface was described by [4]. The fractal dimensions
The wetting phase saturation can be described as function of
can be used to represent the complexity degree and heterogeneity
capillary pressure and fractal dimension was demonstrated by [1].
of pore structure, and the coexistence of dissolution pores and
The Purcell model was found to be the best fit to the experimental
large intergranular pores of Donghetang sandstones contributes to
data of the wetting phase relative permeability for the cases if
a heterogeneous pore throat distribution and a high value of fractal
the measured capillary pressure curve had the same residual
dimension was reported by [5]. The relationship among capillary
saturation as the relative permeability curve was described by [2].
pressure (PC), nuclear magnetic transverse relaxation time (T2)
A theoretical model to correlate capillary pressure and resistivity
and resistivity index (I) was studied by [6]. An increase of bubble
index based on the fractal scaling theory was reported by [3]. The
pressure fractal dimension and pressure head fractal dimension and
fractal dimension resulting from longer transverse NMR relaxation
decreasing pore size distribution index and fitting parameters m*n
times and lower capillary pressure reflects the volume dimension
due to possibility of having interconnected channels was confirmed
of larger pores was described by [4]. The fractal dimension derived
by [7]. An increase of fractal dimension with increasing arithmetic,
from the short NMR relaxation times is like the fractal dimension of
geometric relaxation time of induced polarization, permeability

Citation: Khalid E M E A. Seismic Time Fractal Dimension for Characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of The Permo – Carboniferous Shajara
Formation, Saudi Arabia. Mod App Ocean & Pet Sci 2(1)-2018.MAOPS.MS.ID.000128 1/6
Mod App Ocean & Petr Sci Copyrights@ Khalid Elyas Mohamed Elameen Alkhidir.

and grain size was investigated by [8-10]. An increase of seismo If the pore radius r is introduced, equation 8 will become
electric and fractal dimensions with increasing permeability and
V=[(k*r2*CE*4*π2*Us)/(8*σ*μ*CS*μ*〖ST〗2 )] (9)
grain size was described by [11].
Equation 9 after rearranging the pore radius will become
Materials and Methods
Porosity was measured on collected sandstone samples and r2=[(V*8*σ*μ*CS*μ*〖ST〗2)/(k*CE*4*π2*Us)] (10)
permeability was calculated from the measured capillary pressure The maximum pore radius rmax can be scaled as
by mercury intrusion techniques. Two procedures for obtaining
the fractal dimension have been developed. The first procedure rmax2=[(V*8*σ*μ*CS*μ*〖ST〗max2)/(k*CE*4*π2*Us)] (11)
was completed by plotting the logarithm of the ratio between Where STmax the maximum seismic time
seismic time and maximum seismic time versus logarithm wetting
phase saturation. The slope of the first procedure = 3- Df (fractal Divide equation 10 by equation 11
dimension). The second procedure for obtaining the fractal
[r 2 /(r_max 2 )]=[((V*8*σ*μ*C S *μ*〖ST〗 2 )/(k*C E *4*π 2 *U s ))/
dimension was concluded by plotting the logarithm of capillary
((V*8*σ*μ*CS*μ*〖ST〗max2)/(k*CE*4*π2*Us))] (12)
pressure versus the logarithm of wetting phase saturation. The
slope of the second procedure = Df -3. Equation 12 after simplification will become

The seismic time can be scaled as [r/rmax]=[ST/〖ST〗max] (13)

Sw=[ST/STmax ][3-Df] (1) Take the logarithm of equation 13

Where Sw the wetting phase saturation, ST the seismic time log[r/rmax]=log〖[ST/〖ST〗max]〗 (14)
in second, STmax the maximum seismic time in second, and Df the
But;log[r/rmax]=logSw/([3-Df]) (15)
fractal dimension. Equation 1 can be proofed from the frequency
dependent filtration velocity Insert equation 15 into equation 14

V=[(k*ρ*ω2*U_s)/μ] (2) logSw/([3-Df])=log〖[ST/〖ST〗max]〗 (16)

Where V the filtration velocity in meter / second, k the Equation 16 after log removal will become
permeability in square meter, ρ the fluid density in kilo gram /
Sw=[ST/〖ST〗max][3-Df] (17)
cubic meter, ω the angular frequency, Us the seismic displacement
in meter, and μ the fluid viscosity in pascal * second. Equation 17 the proof of equation 1 which relates the water
saturation, the seismic time, the maximum seismic time and the
But; ω=2*π*f (3)
fractal dimension.
Where f the seismic frequency in second-1
Results and Discussion
Insert equation 3 into equation 2
Based on field observation the Shajara Reservoirs of the Permo-
V=[(k*ρ*4*π *f *Us)/μ]
2 2
(4) Carboniferous Shajara Formation were divided here into three
units as described in Figure 1. These units from bottom to top are:
But;f=1/ST (5) Lower, Middle, and Upper Shajara Reservoir. Their attained results
Where ST the seismic time in second of the seismic time fractal dimension and capillary pressure fractal
dimension are demonstrated in Table 1. Based on the accomplished
Insert equation 5 into equation 4 results it was found that the seismic time fractal dimension is
V=[(k*ρ*4*π2*Us)/(μ*〖ST〗2)] (6) equal to the capillary pressure fractal dimension. The maximum
value of the fractal dimension was found to be 2.7872 allocated
The density ρ can be scaled as to sample SJ13 from the Upper Shajara Reservoir as confirmed
in Table 1. Whereas the minimum value of the fractal dimension
ρ=[(〖reff〗2*CE)/(8*σ*μ*Cs)] 7
2.4379 was reported from sample SJ3 from the Lower Shajara
Where ρ the density in kilo gram / cubic meter, reff the effective reservoir as showed in table 1. The seismic time fractal dimension
pore radius in meter, CE the electro osmotic coefficient in pascal / and capillary pressure fractal dimension were noted to increase
volt, σ the fluid conductivity in Siemens / meter, μ the fluid viscosity with increasing permeability as proofed in Table1 owing to the
in pascal * second and CS the streaming potential coefficient in volt possibility of having interconnected channels. The Lower Shajara
/ pascal. reservoir was represented by six sandstone samples (Figure 1),
four of which label as SJ1, SJ2, SJ3 and SJ4 as confirmed in Table1
Insert equation 7 into equation 6
were nominated for capillary measurements. Their positive slopes
V=[(k*〖reff〗2*CE*4*π2*Us)/(8*σ*μ*CS*μ*〖ST〗2)] (8) of the first procedure (log of the ratio of seismic time to maximum

Citation: Khalid E M E A. Seismic Time Fractal Dimension for Characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of The Permo – Carboniferous Shajara
Formation, Saudi Arabia. Mod App Ocean & Pet Sci 2(1)-2018.MAOPS.MS.ID.000128 2/6
Mod App Ocean & Petr Sci Copyrights@ Khalid Elyas Mohamed Elameen Alkhidir.

seismic time versus log wetting phase saturation) and negative

slopes of the second procedure (log capillary pressure versus log
wetting phase saturation are delineated in Figures 2- 5 and Table
1. As we proceed from sample SJ2 to SJ3 a noticeable reduction in
permeability due to compaction was reported from 1955 md to 56
md which reflects decrease in seismic time fractal dimension from
2.7748 to 2.4379 as identified in Table 1. Again, an increase in grain
size and permeability was proved from sample SJ4 whose seismic
time fractal dimension and capillary pressure fractal dimension
was found to be 2.6843 as described in Table 1.

Figure 3: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of

sample SJ2.

Figure 4: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of

sample SJ3.

Figure 1: Surface type section of the Shajara reservoirs of

the Permo-Carboniferous Shajara Formation latitude 26 52
17.4 longitude 43 36 18.

Figure 5: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of

sample SJ4.

In contrast, the Middle Shajara reservoir which is separated from

the Lower Shajara reservoir by an unconformity surface as shown
in Figure 1. It was designated by four sandstone samples (Figure
1), three of which namely SJ7, SJ8, and SJ9 as clarified in Table1
were preferred to perform capillary pressure measurements. Their
positive slopes of the first procedure and negative slopes of the
second procedure are shown in Figures 6-8 and Table 1. Moreover,
Figure 2: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of
their seismic time fractal dimensions and capillary pressure fractal
sample SJ1.

Citation: Khalid E M E A. Seismic Time Fractal Dimension for Characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of The Permo – Carboniferous Shajara
Formation, Saudi Arabia. Mod App Ocean & Pet Sci 2(1)-2018.MAOPS.MS.ID.000128 3/6
Mod App Ocean & Petr Sci
dimensions show similarities as delineated in Table 1. Their fractal
dimension values are higher than those of samples SJ3 and SJ4 from
the Lower Shajara Reservoir due to an increase in their permeability
as described in Table 1.
Figure 6: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of
sample SJ7.
Figure 7: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of
sample SJ8.
Figure 8: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of
sample SJ9.
On the other hand, the Upper Shajara reservoir is separated from
the Middle Shajara reservoir by yellow green mudstone as shown in
Figure 1. It is defined by three samples so called SJ11, SJ12, SJ13 as
explained in Table 1. Their positive slopes of the first procedure and
negative slopes of the second procedure are displayed in Figures
9-11 and Table 1. Furthermore, their seismic time fractal dimension
Citation: Khalid E M E A. Seismic Time Fractal Dimension for Characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of The Permo – Carboniferous Shajara
Formation, Saudi Arabia. Mod App Ocean & Pet Sci 2(1)-2018.MAOPS.MS.ID.000128
Copyrights@ Khalid Elyas Mohamed Elameen Alkhidir.
and capillary pressure fractal dimension are also higher than those
of sample SJ3 and SJ4 from the Lower Shajara Reservoir owing to an
increase in their permeability as explained in Table 1. Overall a plot
of seismic time fractal dimension versus capillary pressure fractal
dimension as shown in Figure 12 defines three permeable zones of
varying petrophysical properties. These reservoir zones were also
proofed by plotting slopes of the first procedure versus the slopes
of the second procedure as shown in Figure 13. Such variation in
fractal dimension can account for heterogeneity which is a key
parameter in reservoir quality assessment.
Figure 9: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of
sample SJ11.
Figure 10: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of
sample SJ12.
Figure 11: Log (ST / STmax) & log Pc versus log Sw of
sample SJ13.
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 Mod App Ocean & Petr Sci Copyrights@ Khalid Elyas Mohamed Elameen Alkhidir.

Figure 12: Seismic time fractal dimension versus capillary Figure 13: positive slope of the first procedure versus
pressure fractal dimension. negative slope of the second procedure.

Table 1: Petrophysical model showing the three Shajara Reservoir Units with their corresponding values of seismo electric transfer
function fractal dimension and capillary pressure fractal dimension.

Positive slope Negative slope Capillary

Seismic
k of the first of the second pressure
Formation Reservoir Sample Porosity % time fractal
(md) procedure procedure fractal
dimension
Slope=3-Df Slope=Df-3 dimension
SJ13 25 973 0.2128 -0.2128 2.7872 2.7872
Upper Shajara
SJ12 28 1440 0.2141 -0.2141 2.7859 2.7859
Permo-Carboniferous Shajara

Reservoir
SJ11 36 1197 0.2414 -0.2414 2.7586 2.7586
SJ9 31 1394 0.2214 -0.2214 2.7786 2.7786
Middle
Formation

Shajara SJ8 32 1344 0.2248 -0.2248 2.7752 2.7752

Reservoir
SJ7 35 1472 0.2317 -0.2317 2.7683 2.7683
SJ4 30 176 0.3157 -0.3157 2.6843 2.6843

Lower Shajara SJ3 34 56 0.5621 -0.5621 2.4379 2.4379

Reservoir SJ2 35 1955 0.2252 -0.2252 2.7748 2.7748
SJ1 29 1680 0.2141 -0.2141 2.7859 2.7859

Conclusion
a) The sandstones of the Shajara Reservoirs of the permo-
Carboniferous Shajara formation were divided here into three
units based on seismic time fractal dimension.
References
1. Toledo GT, Navy RA, Davis HT, Scriven LE (1994) Capillary pressure,
water relative permeability, electrical conductivity and capillary
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saturation. SPE advanced technology Series 2: 136-141.

b) The Units from bottom to top are: Lower Shajara seismic
time Fractal dimension Unit, Middle Shajara Seismic time
Fractal Dimension Unit, and Upper Shajara Seismic time Fractal
Dimension Unit.
c) These units were also proved by capillary pressure fractal
dimension.
d) The fractal dimension was found to increase with
increasing grain size and permeability.
Acknowledgment
The author would like to thank King Saud University, college
of Engineering, Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Research Centre
at College of Engineering, and King Abdullah Institute for Research
and Consulting Studies for their supports.
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Citation: Khalid E M E A. Seismic Time Fractal Dimension for Characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of The Permo – Carboniferous Shajara
Formation, Saudi Arabia. Mod App Ocean & Pet Sci 2(1)-2018.MAOPS.MS.ID.000128 5/6
Mod App Ocean & Petr Sci
8. Alkhidir KEME (2018) Arithmetic relaxation time of induced polarization
fractal dimension for characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of the Shajara
Formation. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2(1):1-8.
9. Alkhidir KEME (2018) Geometric relaxation time of induced
polarization fractal dimensionfor characterizing Shajara Reservoirs
of the Shajara formation of the Permo-Carboniferous Unayzah Group-
Permo. International Journal of Petro chemical Research 2(1): 105-108.
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Citation: Khalid E M E A. Seismic Time Fractal Dimension for Characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of The Permo – Carboniferous Shajara
Formation, Saudi Arabia. Mod App Ocean & Pet Sci 2(1)-2018.MAOPS.MS.ID.000128
Copyrights@ Khalid Elyas Mohamed Elameen Alkhidir.
10. Alkhidir KEME (2018) Geometric relaxation time of induced polarization
fractal dimensionfor characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of The Shajara
Formation of the Permo-Carboniferous Unayzah Group, Saudi Arabia.
SiFed Journal of Petroleum 2(1): 1-6.
11. AlKhidir KEME (2018) Seismo Electric field fractal dimension for
characterizing Shajara Reservoirs of the Permo-Carboniferous Shajara
Formation, Saudi Arabia. Petroleum Petro Chemical Engineering Journal
2(4): 1-8.
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